HollywoodHokeHogan

December 15th, 2012 at 4:04 AM ^

           after seeing all these people talk about Darren Sproles 2.0 because Brian had a boner for the kid.  He did nothing to make me or any other reasonable person think he was like Darren Sproles, aside from being small and fast. He didn't take over the starting RB spot, hell,he didn't take over the second string RB spot.  So who gives a shit if he moves to corner?  It's not like we are moving a 1000 yard RB to CB.  We are putting our kick returner in a position to see the field more frequently.

HollywoodHokeHogan

December 15th, 2012 at 4:04 AM ^

           after seeing all these people talk about Darren Sproles 2.0 because Brian had a boner for the kid.  He did nothing to make me or any other reasonable person think he was like Darren Sproles, aside from being small and fast. He didn't take over the starting RB spot, hell,he didn't take over the second string RB spot.  So who gives a shit if he moves to corner?  It's not like we are moving a 1000 yard RB to CB.  We are putting our kick returner in a position to see the field more frequently.

Magnus

December 15th, 2012 at 7:24 AM ^

I think that's kind of the point.  There's no need to "get a boner" for him so early.  He might be just as good - or better - on defense as he was on offense.

I said this the other day in the original "Norfleet to safety?" front page post, but of the two third down backs on the roster (Hayes, Norfleet), Norfleet has more potential on defense and those two guys are in the same class.  This could be a way of getting both guys on the field without one always blocking the other's playing time.

Maaly

December 15th, 2012 at 7:45 AM ^

Can't believe most of you are questioning this move. Mattison's defense, which has been our saving grace now has yet another instrument. I believe he knows what he is doing. Sure Norf could be used on offense but do you really expect Borges to use Norfleet properly if at all? We can barely get people like Funchess on the field enough.

Smash Lampjaw

December 15th, 2012 at 8:43 AM ^

When he is back for kickoffs, I enjoy how he rocks his head and flexes his arms like the Fox robot. I just saw some of the Northwestern game for the first time and noticed Taylor Lewan doing it too. Good moves for an offensive lineman. Come to think of it, seems like Taylor may really love college football? I hope?

YoungGeezy

December 15th, 2012 at 9:09 AM ^

Everybody needs to take a chill pill. It is ENTIRELY POSSIBLE Norfleet doesn't pan out at corner and switches back to offense. The kid has three more freaking years at Michigan. This isn't necessarily permanent (he may even switch back this spring) and he is still doing what he did best last year, so stop losing your marbles!

YoOoBoMoLloRoHo

December 15th, 2012 at 9:39 AM ^

He contributed essentially zero on offense and buried on the depth chart. He is exciting with the ball and appears to have big-play potential - which is rare on thr roster for next year.

Without Denard, I suspect all of us are concerned about the O. Norfleet, though, is not the answer.

Sten Carlson

December 15th, 2012 at 10:47 AM ^

I like it -- get the dynamic kids on the field. He played CB in HS, he'll still return kicks, and they'll probably work him into packages on offense in time. Nothing to fret about -- oh wait, this is a Michigan board...so in that case, PANIC!!!!

Reader71

December 15th, 2012 at 12:29 PM ^

1. Norfleet has shown nothing at RB. We won't miss any production, we'll just have one less guy to pin all of our unrealistic hope on.

2. He has shown no ability to catch the ball. He may have it, but we don't know. So, why should he be a slot? Our best passing offenses featured guys like 6'1" Steve Breaston in the slot. Just because a man is small does not make him a good slot.

3. He has shown no ability, nor is he likely to possess said ability, to block. This would be a knock on him at RB and WR.

4. If his physical profile is OK to fit in as a slot, his profile is OK to cover the slot. why worried that he's small? More to the point, how can the same people complain that he's not moving to slot AND insist he's too small to be a nickel? For the record, I think he will probably never be a factor at either position. See #6.

5. Our RB depth is not a problem numbers-wise, the problem is quality. He couldn't crack the depth chart this year; he was almost certain to move further down behind the freshman coming in, particularly if we land Green, who could be a four year starter.

6. This move does not in any way affect Norfleet's true position, which is return man. Even when he signed, we were told he would primarily be a returner. Why are we so up in arms?

7. A lot of guys wanted to see him as a "part of the offense". That's fine, but these people are probably the same ones who would complain every time a play broke down that "hey, Borges, way to be creative. Norfleet was in the game, of course it's gonna be the jet sweep or a fake off of that. Any defensive coordinator could plan for that." You can't have it both ways. You either want a real offense with cohesion, or you want a bundle of tricks that lack any real flow.

wiper

December 15th, 2012 at 2:23 PM ^

i'm gonna take this to meant that the staff knows green is coming and with him and deveon rb depth is okay.

i'm also gonna take tihs as treadwell is coming too, and they need more people to cover him in practice.

certainly that's what this is about.